My Lebanon War Story

One soldier's battle for life.

The phone call that I had been dreading came on a late Saturday night. As the phone rang, I looked at my wife; no words had to be spoken between us. The source of the unidentified call was clear.

I had received a Tzav 8, an emergency call up to the army. As the war started and events spiraled out of control with hundreds of rockets falling daily on residents of northern Israel, it was clear to me that my reserve unit would be activated to fight in Lebanon.

A feeling of fear gripped me. When will I see my wife and daughter again?

Preparing my bags late that night, a feeling of fear gripped me, the fear of the unknown. When will I see my wife and daughter again? What will become of them if God forbid I do not make it home? Will my unit really be used in combat?

That night I discussed my fears with a close confidant who helped allay my fears.

We were attacked by our neighbors out of the blue. In the north of Israel, innocent lives were being lost for one simple reason: because they lived in the Jewish State. In this war, the enemy could not cite to the traditional excuses of ‘Israeli occupation' or ‘frustration' to justify its barbaric assault. I realized that night that this was the exact reason I had joined the Israeli army, to defend the Jewish nation against our ruthless enemies. Throughout its history, the Jewish nation has been persecuted and attacked simply for being Jewish.

My fear dissipated and in its place was a feeling of gratitude that I had the merit to defend the Jewish people.

As I headed off to the North I learned that our tour of duty in Lebanon would not begin for another three weeks. My unit, 9263 reserves Paratroopers (tzanchanim), was being sent to the Syrian border. Syria had moved its attack readiness from 96 hours to 48 hours and our mission was to show a formidable presence on the Syrian border in order to deter Syria from attacking. As the war in Lebanon intensified, it became increasingly evident that reserve ground units would have to be employed to push Hezbollah back from Southern Lebanon and eliminate its capability to attack Northern Israel.

THE MISSION

Three and a half weeks after the start of the war my unit was called into Lebanon. We had ten hours to organize ourselves for battle. There was no time to muse over the situation because we were too busy re-suiting our equipment and loading up on our ammunition. Three hours before our departure we were given our only briefing and finally learned of our mission: to conquer the town of Magrebah. Magrebah is located about nine kilometers from the Northern Israeli border town of Metulla. Our mission was to enter on foot, clean the area of Hezbollah and destroy a central command center located in a forest at the end of the town. The command center was heavily fortified and built with Iranian expertise. Army intelligence had informed us that we should expect to encounter between 40 and 50 Hezbollah terrorists who were fully prepared to die in battle.

At the end of the briefing faces were stern and grim at the prospect of battle. I had pushed off informing my family to the last minute and with only an hour left, I called my wife and mother. The difficult moment was passed with messages of encouragement, promises of prayers, and a final tearful goodbye. Those next few hours were some of the most difficult moments of the war. Not knowing when next I would speak to my family was agonizing. In the midst of our final preparation I was reminded of a particular statement in the Torah: "For the Lord, your God, walks in the midst of your camp to rescue you." My unit would yet see this statement visibly come to fruition.

INTO LEBANON

As we embarked on our mission just before daybreak, we stopped briefly outside the security fence separating Israel and Lebanon. I was able to quickly put on my teffilin and say a short version of the morning prayers. As I was finishing, one of my comrades stood up and quoted the liturgy that the anointed Kohen would say before battle: "Shema Yisrael, Hear O Israel, you are coming near to the battle against your enemies; let your heart not be faint, do not be afraid, do not panic, and do not be broken before them....."

We crossed the security fence into Lebanon at dawn. The path towards Magrebeh was made of a rough, bouldered terrain. Magrebeh is situated on top of a large valley, which made the journey up to the town, with many of us carrying more than 70 pounds on our backs, extremely difficult. As we approached the town's outskirts we were greeted by two large posters. The first was a large billboard of Hassan Nassrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, in the clouds with an M-16 machine gun floating into his hand. The second was of Ayatollah Khumeini, the deceased leader of the Iranian Revolution who was infamous for radicalizing Iran, and for the taking of hostages in the American embassy in 1979.

Army intelligence had informed us that all civilians had evacuated the town, and only Hezbollah terrorists remained concentrated in the center of town.

When we arrived in the town, our division split into three units, one unit to take the left side of the town, one to take the right, and the last to remain behind as back up and close the town off from the flank. The approach we would employ was a slow methodical movement called the ‘worm'. We split up into small groups of four. Each unit of four would slowly move in unison and, as one group of four moved forward the previous group would replace it in its previous position. This method provided the maximum amount of cover and, most importantly, created a smaller, more nimble difficult target to strike, diminishing the threat of a shoulder missile attack -- our greatest fear. Army intelligence had informed us that all civilians had evacuated the town, and only Hezbollah terrorists remained concentrated in the center of town. Our orders therefore were to seize every building with heavy fire, including grenade and missile fire.

MAGREBEH

As we moved on Magrebeh, an eerie, ghost-town feeling permeated the scene. No individual was to be found in sight. Stores with broken down windows and food still left on the shelves dotted the streets. All around us we could see houses with bullet-stained walls, punched with holes from artillery, and roads turned to rubble from the passing of tanks. As we cautiously approached the center of the town, my heart started racing. You could read the tension and anxiousness on the faces of my comrades. I reassured myself that I must commit not to be afraid; we are defending the Jewish nation and God "walks in our midst" during battle.

As we neared the first house we were informed that a Hezbollah scout was overlooking our forces. The order came: "Quickly take the first house with a grenade and take cover." A grenade flew and exploded inside the house. "Go! Go! Go!" we yelled out. Two groups quickly finished the job of clearing the house with hand grenades and entered to ensure that the house was empty of Hezbollah. I was given the order to immediately go up to the roof and fire on the rest of the town. The three-story house was ornately decorated and left in perfect condition as if the family had just left a few minutes earlier.

As I reached the roof, armed with my heavy machine gun, I was joined by sharp shooters, and we unleashed heavy fire on the five houses in front of us to clear them of fighters. We then advanced to the second and third houses, moving through the backyards and clinging to the large walls which separated the houses, staying out of the main street where we would be exposed. As we seized the third house without resistance, our operation began to resemble a live fire drill more than an actual mission, and a false sense of security took hold of us.

While in the third house, our commander decided we would have a short rest in order to evaluate how to proceed in the most problematic stage of our mission: the next three houses. Seizing them presented a strategic nightmare. They were situated on a higher plane permitting potential snipers with positions for a clear shot. In addition, the houses were encompassed by a steep wall that would force us to use the main road and expose our forces.

Our commander called for tank support to fire into the fourth house. As the tank finished firing, the first group of four soldiers -- which included our two commanding officers -- moved out of the third house and into the street towards the fourth house. Thirty seconds later, we heard the distinct popping sound of Russian-made Kalashnikovs firing on the street outside, quickly followed by a screeching whistling sound and a thunderous explosion.

Chaos and confusion broke out as we scrambled to figure out where the fire was coming from and how to respond. Over the radio we heard the word "Perach," the code for injuries. Our two commanding officers had been seriously wounded. One of them received multiple gunshots to his legs and had a bullet ricochet underneath his helmet. He lost consciousness immediately. The other commanding officer was struck by a bullet in his upper chest that penetrated his back. He lost a substantial amount of blood and soon lost consciousness. With tremendous courage and valor under fire, a few medics ran out to the road, under heavy enemy fire, to treat the injured officers. It was a miracle that while being shot at by snipers the medics where able to recover the injured without sustaining injuries. Due to their heroic actions and the grace of God, they rescued the two injured officers and saved their lives.

Hezbollah had planned to force us back into the house and launch the RPG directly through the front door, killing all of us inside.

We ascertained that snipers were positioned on top of houses four and five and had fired a shoulder missile. Our tank support moved forward and began firing as we re-entered the third house to take cover. The force of the tank's fire caused large pieces of debris to fall from the ceiling onto our heads. Suddenly, without the usual warning of ‘fire' over the radio, the tank fired its large turret. A fellow soldier, who was standing in close proximity to the tank, was thrown onto the ground by the tremendous force of the blast. He began crouching and coughing up blood. We quickly carried him into one of the tanks and he was immediately evacuated.

It was later revealed to us that a Hezbollah guerilla had fired the first missile to force us to retreat for cover into the third house. Unbeknownst to us, he had pointed a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) directly into to the entrance of the third house and we fell into the perfect ambush. Hezbollah had planned to force us back into the house and launch the RPG directly through the front door, killing all of us inside. At the last moment, the tank identified the Hezbollah fighter preparing to launch the RPG. Without time to issue a warning, the tank fired on the fighter and eliminated him, miraculously saving all our lives. Had the tank hesitated, the results would have been devastating.

The battle raged on for another six hours until we were given orders to fall back.

Amidst the various reactions of my fellow comrades -- shock, fear, courage, and bravery, I gained a new understanding of the verse "The Lord, your God, walks in the midst of your camp to rescue you."

Early Friday morning, we were taken out of Lebanon to a hotel located near the Kinneret to rest and recuperate from the intensive battle. A deep sense of gloom was felt throughout the unit. As Shabbat approached, I went to the hotel synagogue for prayers, only to find that I was the only one present. I felt so alone. Within moments, nine others appeared and we were able to proceed with the afternoon prayers. By the time we began the Shabbat prayers 55 soldiers had joined us. I grabbed one of the guys to start dancing and within seconds, everyone in the room was dancing and singing together. This continued for 30 minutes, raising everyone's spirits as we welcomed the Shabbat. That night we were called back into Lebanon, but the energy of Shabbat remained with us.

ROSH HASHANA

Now, as I reflect on all the events of the past month and particularly during the last week of the war, I cannot help but think of the upcoming holidays. On Rosh Hashana, the entire world is judged and the Books of Life and Death are opened. It is a time to clarify and set our priorities as individuals and as a nation. This year, these concepts have taken on a whole new meaning for me. I know that after my recent experience, I cannot live my life in the same fashion as I had previously.

The Jewish people are facing an imminent danger both physically and spiritually.

While in Lebanon, food, water, and sleep were all in short supply. Even these necessities lost their value when compared with the significance of life itself. The little nuisances in life that drain us emotionally and physically are all meant as challenges. The invitation we did not receive from the neighbor, a person cuts in front of us in line at the supermarket, or the baby screaming all night when we have an important meeting in the morning are all challenges that need to be put in the proper perspective. These obstacles are all set before us in order for us to be able to grow by overcoming them. We must not let these barriers impede us from becoming bigger people and hindering our appreciation of life itself. When weighed against the important aspects of our lives these matters become trivial and we have the capability to rise above these challenges. Learning how to confront these obstacles and committing our lives to becoming bigger people is one of the central themes of Rosh Hashana.

The Jewish people are facing an imminent danger both physically and spiritually. The prospect of Iran as a nuclear power is a grave threat to the existence of the state of Israel. Hezbollah is already being rearmed by Iran and Syria, and the Palestinians are already trying to duplicate the successful techniques that Hezbollah used in battle. On the spiritual side, the intermarriage rate outside of Israel is hovering at an alarming 70% rate, reflecting a lack of understanding of the uniqueness and greatness of Judaism and being a Jew. We are under siege on all fronts. It is time to stand up and get involved by becoming more connected in your local community, learning more about Judaism or helping to teach someone less knowledgeable in Judaism.

The Books of Life and Death are open once again, and the Jewish nation is facing critical challenges. Let us do everything in our power to rise above them, and choose life.

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

Alexander Landa, born in Kiev, Ukraine and grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. A Rutgers University graduate and a former Wall Street analyst. He served as a Paratrooper (tzanchanim) from Aug 2002 to Jan 2004 in Ramallah, Shechem, and Gaza. Alex and his unit were recently deployed in Lebanon for active duty where they faced extensive combat. He is currently studying in Jerusalem where he lives with his wife and daughter.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 29

(29)
Jewell,
September 10, 2007 11:42 AM

Blessing

Alexander Landa's story has been a blessing to me! Thank you Aish for all you do. Jewell

(28)
Shanni Zilouff,
June 26, 2007 10:00 PM

This is a facinating article

This is a facinating arcticle! I thank you very much for sharing it. I wish all the soldiers of Israel the very best, and would like to thank them for looking after our country!

(27)
WilliamH.Sager,
September 24, 2006 3:56 PM

As a former Marine Corps combat "grunt" I could easily relate to the experiences of this author and his vivid description not only of combat but separation from family and loved ones.

(26)
bernardlowinger,
September 22, 2006 3:21 AM

LEBANON WAR

THE HUMAN STORY OF AN INHUMAN WAR

(25)
Anonymous,
September 21, 2006 9:55 PM

Tell me if I have this right. Our young soldiers are supposed to risk their lives and many die, so they do not harm "innocent civilians." Then when it is all done, we give back the land so our enimies can rearm and attack again using the info they learned from the last assault so they can kill more soldiers and civilians. Then after the next war, if we win, we give it all back to them so they can do it again until eventually they do win. And just for good measure we displace Jews and give even more land away (Gaza) so they can attack us from two fronts instead of one.

Am I understanding this correctly? And you wonder why so many Jews are intermarrying and walking away. Do you really not understand?

(24)
Anonymous,
September 21, 2006 10:20 AM

Isreali soldiers are OUR heros!!

This article has brought tears to my eyes! I am amazed at how brave our IDF is. Hearing such an amzing story shows me that the world is not all that rotten. Us jews must stand together and love eachother as we must love our G-d because although some may not realize it, G-d is with us every step of the way and yes, miracles do happen! All the time! Thank you to all our soldiers! Alex, to me, you are not only an amazing jew but an increadible leader. YOU (among others) ARE MY HERO! Thank you!!!! May hashem bless you and be with you!! Shanna tova! may this year be filled with joy and Only good things for the jewish people!

(23)
Anonymous,
September 20, 2006 11:50 AM

The Parent's Perspective

Our son was a tank commander during the war in Lebanon. He was in battle continously throughour this war. I was moved by the writer's account and how his life and the meaning of things has changed forever. I can only say that this same transformation happened to my wife and I as we prayed around the clock for our son's safety. Our son, Thank G-d is okay and survived the experience. I will never be the same in the positive sense. I don't worry about small insignificant things any more and have turned my self over to ashem. I pray that all of our soldiers will be safe. They are the bravest of the brave!

(22)
Dana,
September 20, 2006 11:31 AM

With Great Appreciation

THANK YOU, ALEX AND TOVAH! You have awakened and inspired us. This summer, our urgent tefillos became even more heartfelt when you were called up. We truly filled our home with mitvos and chasadim to be in your zechus. We were at once impressed and petrified, and were constantly grateful that Alex was protecting the Jewish people with Hashem's help, and that his wife was managing! Alex, your insights at the end of the article are perceptive and very helpful. Thank you for allowing all of us to learn and grow from your awesome experiences. K'siva V'chasima Tovah :)

(21)
Somosetch,
September 19, 2006 7:50 PM

You never cease to inspire!

Alex. You're a shining example of a Jew dedicated to always doing the right thing. May Hashem reward you for being a walking kiddush Hashem by answering all your tefilos - l'tova! (pun intended)

K'siva vachasima tova.

(20)
Anonymous,
September 19, 2006 5:30 PM

live long

live long and happy.on rosh hashana 2006-5766/5767from love to tÃ¼rkiye.

(19)
JewishMother,
September 19, 2006 4:44 PM

Thank you for sharing your experiences! It was well delivered! Each IDF soldier who lost his/hers life fighting for our Jewish State had brought tears and pain into my heart! Each day I prayed for every Jewish soldier to stay alive and return home safely to their Families! Your story is an inspiration, a display of what our Jewish boys had to go through, about their courage, trust in Hashem, the miracles of Shabbat spirit and Jewish Unity! As about Jewish intermarriages and assimilation,its growing sad statistics are killing our Jewish Nation quite rapidly. The only way it could be prevented, or slowed down at the least, is by having all Jewish Mothers realize the importance of Jewish education for our children, the sugnificance of maintaining Jewish homes and raising our children in an environment of Torah learning and Hashem's presence! May Hashem make Jewish Nation a stronger people! May Torah enter every Jewish heart! May New Year bring peace, health and happiness to every Jewish home! May we all be incribed in a Book of Life! Thank you again, and all the best to you and your Family!

(18)
Anonymous,
September 19, 2006 12:02 PM

Chazak V'amatz!!

We were and always will be with you!!! See you tom. in Kollel

(17)
GabeJacknin,
September 18, 2006 2:25 PM

True- We must be soldiers on all fronts of life

Thank you very much for re-installing the message that we all deep down know- but rarely practice. We needed your encouraging words especially at a time like this to make us greater people and uplift us for the upcoming year. Kol Ha-Kavod to you. A Kisiva Vichasima tova to you and your entire family.

(16)
Renata,
September 18, 2006 8:56 AM

Thank you!

Thank you and your fellow soldiers for your bravery in defending Israel. I speak for myself and many friends and relatives when I say that there is no one that we hold in higher regard than Israeli soldiers. Your brave actions in combat contributed to the safetly of many fellow Jews. May you and your family all be written in the Book of Life for a prosperous and happy year!

You are right that the intermarriage rates are apalling. I knew that they were high, but 70% is shocking! I am not a religious Jew, but I have come to the conclusion that it is our duty to raise our children in a more observant environment. There is too much assimilation in America and there is no other way to fight it. This year, I plan on taking on the task of becoming a little more observant and urge others to do the same.

(15)
Alessanda..,
September 18, 2006 1:19 AM

Ko Ha Kavod...

Kol Ha Kavod to you and your brave battallions...

(14)
Laya,
September 18, 2006 1:11 AM

"Had the tank hesitated"

This is a wonderful account of your experience and incredible lessons, thank you for writing this. Thank you for your service to the Jewish nation and protecting my family, my home.

And thank you to the unidentified soldiers in the tank. The tank that did not hesitate to do what needed to be done to save Jewish souls.

May we merit to accomplish what we as Jews must do to bring "light unto the nations."

(13)
Todd,
September 17, 2006 10:01 PM

you missed something

"On the spiritual side, the intermarriage rate outside of Israel is hovering at an alarming 70% rate, reflecting a lack of understanding of the uniqueness and greatness of Judaism and being a Jew. We are under siege on all fronts. It is time to stand up and get involved by becoming more connected in your local community, learning more about Judaism or helping to teach someone less knowledgeable in Judaism."

How about helping Jews marry other Jews on the same observance level or lack thereof.

(12)
rivkah,
September 17, 2006 9:32 PM

chazak!

Thank yoy very much for sharing your experiences with us. Thank you vey much for defending us. Thank you very much for being such a hero! ketiva uchtima tova, shana tova!

(11)
MattSchwed,
September 17, 2006 7:44 PM

Hero

Alex, The sound of your voice over the telephone last week made me breath a sigh of relief...it also made me cry tears of joy for your safe return. You live a life that I can only dream of--dedicated to learning Torah and to defending our very existence. I'm so proud of you. I love you, brother.Matt

(10)
Harold,
September 17, 2006 6:57 PM

We must thank the men of women of the IDF. They go so we may stay home.

Thanks to all the men and women of the IDF

(9)
GerriHirschberg,
September 17, 2006 5:12 PM

This article gave me new insights

This article show me how to look at the little things in life as not important but how important life is. It makes me want to become a better me.

(8)
Anonymous,
September 17, 2006 3:18 PM

Thanks for sharing your mind blowing story on Aish. This was one of the most inspiring articles I have ever read. These brave chayalim deserve our grattitude for sacrificing their lives to ensure safety of us and our country. They are our true heroes. May G-D bless and protect each and everyone of them.

(7)
ray,
September 17, 2006 2:49 PM

great story

thank you for the great story.it's a shame the israeli government had to risk your lives for nothing.if only hizbula was in the town they should have carpet bombed the whole place.

(6)
dov,
September 17, 2006 11:37 AM

so very sad

Yet I am proud to have been partOf te IDF and defended my country the only one we have.many years have pastand I feel it is time now to come home.lehitraot

(5)
Anonymous,
September 17, 2006 10:38 AM

Important insights on Israel, hitherto only vague

The story of the young soldier was very moving and it is the story of all young people who are faced with the prospect of fighting to save their country from the terror on a daily basis of their enemies. No nation is more vurnerable than the nation of Israel. Thank God it is a strong and united State and will in the end conquer despite all odds and not be conquered according to the fanatical wish of it's neighbours as well as other extremeists around the world. Stand strong, unite and you will not fail.

(4)
Anonymous,
September 17, 2006 10:29 AM

United in Spirit

This article gave a front row seat to what we hear and see on the news. I'm not Jewish, so I can't feel that kind of pride, but I do feel linked to a common enemy. Hatred for another human being is abhorant and I pray every day for the success and safety of Israel. You are a chosen people and I, too, believe the Lord God walks among you in battle. God bless the young men and women who put their lives on the line to defend Israel.

(3)
TechiyaLevine,
September 17, 2006 10:28 AM

Thank You

Thank you for your service and thank you for putting that to words. What an inspiring way to head towards Rosh Hashana. May Hashem protect us on all our battlefields.

(2)
David,
September 17, 2006 10:24 AM

LORD bless this soldiers !

Although I am not living in Israel I am truly impressed by the young Israeli soldiers who go to the battlefield in order to save the Jewish nation.May G-D be with them and give them all they need.

(1)
Liora,
September 17, 2006 8:23 AM

spirit of judaism

this story brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. what heroes - I am so proud of our brave and beautiful soldiers, these men are true jews.